Improved animal-trap



- aient' etti-ire.;

Letters Patent No. 94,975, dated September 21, 1869.

IMPROVED .ANIMAL-TRAP.

The Schednle referred 'to `these L etters Patent and, making part ofthe same.

To all whom 'it ina/y concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAMN. REED, of Washington city,` District of Oolumbia,-have invented a new and4 improved mode ofconsfructing that kind of ani- ,mal-trap usually termed A Steel-Trap,s`o as to prevent the escape of animals when caught; and I do hereby declare that the following full and exact description thereof', reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and.l `to the letters of reference marked thereon. i The nature of my invention consists i'n the use of an upright vs'prng-` post or lock, to support the main spring when the trap is sprung, as an additional se.

curity against `the escape of an animal when caught.

y To enable others skilled inthe art to make and use my invention, I will proceed. to describe its construction and operation. v i

I construct mytrap in any 'of the known forms of steel-tra`ps, with the foregoing exceptions, and apply theretoian upright angular toothed spring-post or lock, firmly attached tothe bed-piece of' the trap,' marked e, with its upper end loosely inserted in an opening in the main spring, its lower half being formed into a spring that vpresses the post agaiustone side of'` said opening. The said teethv being iiat at top (see drawing) and very slanting on the `under side, allow the main spring free 'motion upward, but prevent its return, thus binding the jaws ofthe trap together and rendering the escape of an .animal impossible.`

At a, tig. 1, in the accompanying drawing, is seen the main spring, (the trap being representedas just sprung) supported bythe spring-post b, the upper tooth of which securely locks the main spring Vin position, thus binding together the jaws ofthe trap, so as to .effectually resist all efforts of the animal to escape, even should he happen to step on the main spring,a contingency that would, in a common steeltrap, be very likely to result in his liberation. At c, that portion of the jaws are seen, bent as described, in the form of the are of 'a circle, whose centre is'a't the opposite end'of the main spring. This device not only affords more room insidev the'trapv when set, but enables the spring to traverse a greater distance on the jaws, Arising higher above the centre' on which they turn, thus giving the spring a better purchase.A

Should the animal be caught in anyzmanner that lseparated the jaws of the trap more than usual, the

main spring would,'i n such contingency, be supported by the middle or lower tooth, substantially as heretofore described. f

The toothed spring-post lock, in combination with Vthe main spring, to prevent the .premature opening of the trap, `as herein described,

` WM. N. REED. Witnesses:

R. H. M-Ans'n,

l P. N. REED.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure- 

